Slip away from city life and escape to the Columbia River Gorge. The Historic Columbia River Highway begins (or ends, depending on your direction) on the outskirts of Greater Portland in the charming town of Troutdale (B1), known as the “Gateway to the Gorge.” Browse stores and galleries downtown, eat meals from vintage cookbooks and stroll the grounds of McMenamins Edgefield. In true centennial spirit, you can locate the new bronze statues of the historic highway’s visionaries, Samuel…